Hard-liners cynically weaponise Islamophobia to undermine legitimate debate, the government's lead on counter-extremism says. Creator of the Commission for Countering Extremism Sara Khan says that Islamists 'use and abuse' the notion of human rights.

She said fundamentalists shut down debate by accusing critics of being anti-Muslim, undermining a genuine struggle against bigotry. 'Groups such as Hizb ut-Tahrir, for example - who traditionally rally against what they perceive to be western human rights - increasingly and cynically use human rights to promote Islamist ideology,' Ms Khan said.

'They and their sympathisers weaponise Islamophobia in an attempt to shut down legitimate debate about Islamic extremism while undermining the general struggle against anti-Muslim hatred.'

She also said that white far-right groups had 'repackaged' racism with increased professionalism as they exploit social media, The Daily Telegraph reports.

The Prime Minister announced the commission following the Islamist bombing of Manchester Arena last year.

Hizb ut-Tahrir has called for Shari'ah to be introduce under a caliphate and is proscribed in much of the Middle East as well as Europe.